§ 10. Sir J Langford-Holtasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how many he expects the number of nonindustrial civil servants will increase by the end of 1967; and how this will compare numerically and as a percentage with December, 1964.
§ Mr. MacDermotThe Estimates for 1967–68 provide for an increase of about 7,500. By the end of March 1968 the total increase since December 1964 will be about 4,600 or 11 per cent.—all these figures excluding the Post Office.
§ Sir J. Langford-HoltWould the hon. and learned Gentleman bear in mind that it is highly desirable that this percentage is watched extremely carefully? Can he say what level in his view is an acceptable level, in view of the fact that it appears to be getting excessively high?
§ Mr. MacDermotI agree that it must be closely watched, and I assure the hon. Gentleman that that is done. The question of the level must depend on the policies and decisions of the Government. If the hon. Gentleman finds these figures surprising, I would remind him that in the last four years of Conservative Administration the number of nonindustrial civil servants went up by 33,500.
§ Mr. MacleodIn giving the main Answer the Financial Secretary gave the figure of 4,600. Did not he mean to say 46,000?
§ Mr. MacDermotI am sorry. It was indeed a slip of the tongue. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] I intended to say 46,000 and thought that I had done so. That is the figure which should be compared with the figure of 33,500.
§ Mr. William HamiltonCan my hon. Friend say how many of these people are being used to watch, for example, Bristol Siddeley?
§ Mr. MacDermotNot without notice.